"Unfortunately, business here has been declining. There are so many new malls springing up and not that many people come here anymore," she lamented.

To suppress prices, these food operators resort to strategies such as constantly sourcing for new suppliers and buying in bulk.

Richard Robinett, owner of Ang Mo's Family Cafe

Mr Richard Robinett, 38, who runs Ang Mo's Family Cafe at Cuppage Plaza which sells local and Western food, said: "I am constantly hunting for the cheapest suppliers who provide the best quality.

"I tell my supplier: 'If I find somebody who has lower prices, I will go to him.' I will give him a chance to match prices, but if not, I will then go with the lower one," he said, adding that he has changed suppliers five times in a year.

But he is aware that quality counts and is not averse to giving customers free meals to get feedback when he makes a supplier switch.

The retired American navy personnel, who married a Singaporean, also expanded his eatery from an 18-seater to a 45-seater in September.

He said: "I can keep my prices low as long as I can keep my customer flow, but if people do not come in then, of course, I do not have the quantity to maintain a low price."

About 70 to 80 per cent of his customers are regulars.

Mr Adam, 43, who opened Nora Indonesian Food Corner at Midpoint Orchard this April, has also introduced a loyalty programme system to keep customers coming back. It costs $15 to purchase the three-month membership, and members get 20 per cent off meals.

Nora Indonesian Food Corner is now offering a loyalty card to customers

Shoppers in the know are glad they have alternatives to the usual air- conditioned foodcourts or fast-food chains.

Ms Teresa Armstrong, a 50- something retail staff member who eats at Hainanese Delicacy at Far East Plaza at least three times a month, said: "Ion's Food Opera is more expensive, so I prefer to come here or go to Lucky Plaza for lunch."

Public relations executive Adam Choo, 32, whom Life!Weekend spotted eating at JTown Cafe at Midpoint Orchard, said: "There are quite a few cheap and good food stalls along Orchard, but they're usually not in the big malls."

But it is also possible to find reasonablypriced eats in the glitzier malls.

Secretary Ng Xin Ying, 28, said: "Some of the food at the kiosks in the basements of Ion or 313@Somerset may be even cheaper than at the foodcourt. You just need to know where to look."

With Life!Weekend's guide, you will know exactly where to go a-hunting.

CHINESE

Family StoveWhat: Stall-owner Cedric Tan dishes up roast pork ($5), Hainanese pork cutlet ($4.80) or roast chicken ($4.80), served with a choice of pasta or rice, and keropok; curry noodles ($4.80), meatball soup ($4). Also available at the foodcourt are canned drinks ($1.50), lime juice ($2) and Milo ($1.30)

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on December 21, 2012. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.